Euro Pallet Dimensions
The standard Euro pallet (EUR / EPAL) measures 1200 × 800 × 144 mm and is the most widely used pallet format in European supply chains.
Standard EUR / EPAL Specification
- Length: 1200 mm
- Width: 800 mm
- Height: 144 mm
- Footprint area: 0.96 m²
- Empty weight: approximately 25 kg
- Static load capacity: approximately 1500 kg
- Dynamic load capacity: approximately 1000 kg
Construction is standardized: eleven boards, nine blocks and a defined nailing pattern. EPAL-certified pallets carry the EPAL mark burned into all four corner blocks, which is what makes them interchangeable within pallet pooling and exchange systems.
Why 1200 × 800 mm Matters
The footprint is modular. Two 600 × 400 mm cartons cover half the pallet, four cover the whole surface, and eight 400 × 300 mm cartons also cover it exactly. That modularity is why European packaging is commonly specified in multiples of 600 × 400 mm — it eliminates wasted footprint and simplifies layer patterns.
Loaded Height Limits
The 144 mm pallet height consumes part of the total allowance. With a 1600 mm maximum loaded height, 1456 mm remains for cargo; with a 2000 mm limit, 1856 mm remains. Always subtract the pallet deck before dividing by carton height.
Comparison With Other Pallet Sizes
- EUR / EPAL — 1200 × 800 mm, 0.96 m², dominant in Europe.
- Industrial / ISO — 1200 × 1000 mm, 1.2 m², common in chemicals and heavy goods.
- North American — 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm), 1.24 m².
- Half Euro pallet — 800 × 600 mm, 0.48 m², used for retail display.
- Quarter Euro pallet — 600 × 400 mm, 0.24 m².
Euro Pallets in Transport
A standard 13.6 m curtainsider takes 33 EUR pallets in a single tier. A 20 ft container typically takes around 11 and a 40 ft container around 23 to 25, depending on orientation and clearances. Loaded pallet height and cargo weight frequently reduce these figures in practice.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the dimensions of a Euro pallet?
- A standard EUR/EPAL pallet measures 1200 mm long, 800 mm wide and 144 mm high, giving a footprint area of 0.96 m².
- How much does a Euro pallet weigh?
- An empty EUR/EPAL pallet weighs roughly 25 kg, varying with wood moisture content and pallet condition.
- What is the load capacity of a Euro pallet?
- A EUR/EPAL pallet in good condition is generally rated for about 1500 kg as a static load and around 1000 kg as a dynamic (moving) load. Racking capacity is often the stricter limit.
- What is the difference between EUR and EPAL pallets?
- They share the same dimensions and construction specification. EPAL pallets carry the EPAL mark on all four corner blocks and are certified under the EPAL system.
- How do Euro pallets compare with 1200 × 1000 mm pallets?
- The industrial 1200 × 1000 mm pallet has a 1.2 m² footprint versus 0.96 m² for a EUR pallet, so it carries more per pallet but fits differently in trailers and containers.